Waterbuffalo
08-25-2007, 05:39 PM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Marcia Dunn AP
NASA said Friday that cracks have been found in the insulation of all three space shuttle fuel tanks slated to fly in coming months and could be the reason a chunk of foam debris broke off during Endeavour's launch.
The debris gashed the belly of the shuttle, but ultimately didn't threaten the spacecraft during its recent mission. But NASA wants to prevent that from happening again and officials outlined their repair plan Friday.
The new cracks were found in a layer of insulating cork that lies beneath the foam insulation on fuel tank brackets. Officials said both the cork and foam will be removed and then only new foam will be sprayed on before the next shuttle flight.
Shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said the extra work should not delay Discovery's planned liftoff, currently targeted for Oct. 23.
However, "We will take the amount of time that we need to get this repair done properly, and we will not rush."
The full article can be read at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070825/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle;_ylt=Atcy.yAOcrWPPptW.aaoN0EPLBIF
NASA said Friday that cracks have been found in the insulation of all three space shuttle fuel tanks slated to fly in coming months and could be the reason a chunk of foam debris broke off during Endeavour's launch.
The debris gashed the belly of the shuttle, but ultimately didn't threaten the spacecraft during its recent mission. But NASA wants to prevent that from happening again and officials outlined their repair plan Friday.
The new cracks were found in a layer of insulating cork that lies beneath the foam insulation on fuel tank brackets. Officials said both the cork and foam will be removed and then only new foam will be sprayed on before the next shuttle flight.
Shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said the extra work should not delay Discovery's planned liftoff, currently targeted for Oct. 23.
However, "We will take the amount of time that we need to get this repair done properly, and we will not rush."
The full article can be read at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070825/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle;_ylt=Atcy.yAOcrWPPptW.aaoN0EPLBIF